Sean Longstaff is in a difficult position at Newcastle United right now.
The local lad has started every Premier League game this season, but came under fire for his role in Wolves’ goal on Sunday. The Newcastle United midfielder gave the ball away, which resulted in Mario Lemina putting Wolves ahead after a brisk counterattack.
Sean Longstaff was not the only player at fault, but he did play his part in Newcastle falling behind. Thankfully, Eddie Howe’s substitutes inspired a Newcastle comeback, with Harvey Barnes scoring an incredible winner from distance.
But with Sandro Tonali excelling in place of Longstaff, fans are eager to see the 26-year-old dropped for the £55million man. And this comes at a time when Longstaff is actually fighting for his Newcastle United career.
Sean Longstaff’s Newcastle contract expires this season
Longstaff is in the final year of his Newcastle United contract. His current deal expires in the summer of 2025, which means that the club need to make a decision on whether he stays or goes.
When every Newcastle United player is fit and firing, Longstaff is not going to be a guaranteed starter under Eddie Howe. In truth, it has been tough for him to re-hit the heights of the 2022/23 campaign when he played the best football of his career.
He is often the subject of criticism from fans, and Dan Burn recently wrote in the club’s matchday programme that Longstaff gets too much flack from supporters.
Ahead of the Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Burn wrote: “He gets some stick that he doesn’t deserve but internally we love him and he does a massive job for the team.”
Burn’s comments about Longstaff came after the midfielder scored the decisive penalty in the shootout win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. He played very well that night, with Michael Dawson describing Longstaff as ‘brilliant’.
Newcastle need to give Longstaff a new deal despite criticism
Longstaff is often heavily questioned by fans, while he is not the most technically gifted midfielder at St James’ Park.
However, it is vital that he is given a new contract to continue his career as a Newcastle United player.
As an academy graduate, Longstaff is incredibly valuable to Eddie Howe. He is a player who understands the culture of the club and its importance to the region, and that can help him set an example for players coming into the club.
The fact he is homegrown is also invaluable, especially given Newcastle’s desire to compete in Europe. When you submit a squad, you need players who have come through the academy, and Newcastle lost two of them during the summer when Paul Dummett and Elliot Anderson left the club.
That is why it is even more important that Longstaff stays put, with the Magpies threatening to return to European competition after a strong start to the Premier League season.
It is also a case of preserving Longstaff’s value. In the world of PSR, it would be incredibly bad business to let a Premier League calibre midfielder leave the club on a free.
While he is not the perfect midfielder, it would be negligent of Newcastle United to let Longstaff leave the club on a free transfer next summer. He still has a role to play, and should be rewarded with a new deal in the near future.
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